Of his humour, a story told by Pope.[1] may afford a specimen.
“Dr. Swift has an odd, blunt way, that is mistaken, by strangers, for ill-nature. — 'Tis so odd, that there's no describing it but by facts. I'll tell you one that first comes into my head. One evening, Gay and I went to see him: you know how intimately we were all acquainted. On our coming in, 'Heyday, gentlemen, (says the Doctor) what's the meaning of this visit? How came you to leave the great Lords, that you are so fond of, to come hither to see a poor Dean!' - 'Because we would rather see you than any of them.' — 'Ay, any one that did not know so well as I do, might believe you. But since you are come, I must get some supper for you I suppose.' 'No, Doctor, we have supped already.' — 'Supped already? that's impossible! why, 'tis not eight o'clock yet — That's very strange; but, if you had not supped, I must have got something for you. — Let me see, what should I have had? A couple of lobsters; ay, that would have done very, well; two shillings — tarts, a shilling: but you will drink a glass of wine with me, though you
- ↑ Spence.
